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More than 100 Marine Protected Areas, or MPAs, span the coast of California, including the waters around Catalina Island. But how effective are MPAs in protecting coastal ecosystems? And how are global threats such as climate change impacting marine life in this region? With your help, scientists aim to find out.

Catalina Island, located just 22 miles off the coast of Los Angeles, is home to a wide variety of plant and animal species, and surrounded by some of the most vibrant kelp forest habitats in the world. This region is also home to multiple Areas of Special Biological Significance and seven Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), which are regions designed to safeguard marine animals, plants, and their habitats by limiting human activities such as fishing or boating.

Catalina is sometimes referred to as a ‘living laboratory.’ Despite its close proximity to Los Angeles, a major urban landscape, the island is relatively remote and significant efforts have been made to protect its coastal waters. It is therefore an ideal region to study not only the effects of MPAs on the health of marine ecosystems, but how global threats, such as climate change, are impacting these waters.

Join scientists on this picturesque island and help to monitor the health of a unique coastal habitat. Record the abundance of marine mammals such as California sea lions, gray whales, and common dolphins; collect water samples; survey the inhabitants of the intertidal zone; and observe the ways in which humans use this delicate habitat. Contribute to Pacific coast datasets and help to conserve a valuable marine ecosystem.

Accommodation and food

Why the research is important

Why the research is important

Since the early 1970s, nearly 90% of Catalina’s land has been protected, including 62 miles of coastline.

Climate change and human activities are impacting key marine life, water conditions, and more along Catalina’s coast. Data is urgently needed to help manage this critical habitat.

Contribute to Pacific coast datasets and help to conserve a valuable marine ecosystem.

There is mounting evidence that Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) increase the health and abundance of key marine species. MPAs are therefore considered to be one of the best ways to safeguard the health of coastal ecosystems. Maintaining MPAs, however, and expanding marine protections to new regions, requires dedicated conservation and enforcement efforts. These efforts require a substantial amount of ongoing monitoring and data.

The results from this study will feed directly into Catalina’s coastal policies and enforcement practices for MPAs, helping to ensure that these protected areas receive the support they need to function effectively. Even more broadly, the research findings will be used to support MPA management in California by establishing a baseline dataset and detailed record of biodiversity – including native and non-native species – in the region.

There are numerous threats to the waters surrounding Catalina, including climate change, human activities, and harmful algal blooms. Help scientists and policy makers to ensure they are using the most effective methods to conserve this region. This is your chance to explore coastal sea life while contributing to long-term datasets that will inform policies on Catalina Island and across California’s coastal regions.

About the research area

Located just 22 miles off the coast of Los Angeles, California, Catalina Island is one of eight Channel Islands off California, and the only one with permanent residents. Catalina features more than 400 native plants, including six that are endemic to the island. Only five of the animals on the island are native – the rest have been introduced by humans, including deer, cats, and bison. One of the most popular animals is the Catalina Island Fox, which is one of the smallest canine species on Earth, weighing in at roughly five pounds.

Catalina offers a stunning coastline with clear and clean waters that allow for great snorkeling and kayaking. The island is home to seven Marine Protected Areas and multiple Areas of Special Biological Significance. It was also voted the “World’s Healthiest Marine Environment” by Scuba Diving Magazine.

The Scientists

MEET THE LEAD SCIENTIST

John

Heidelberg

Associate Director of the University of Southern California, Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies

ABOUT John Heidelberg

Dr. John Heidelberg is the Associate Director of the University of Southern California Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies. John studies in the field of microbial genomics, specifically the metabolic potential of the common and abundant marine bacteria.

MEET THE OTHER SCIENTISTS

Accommodations and Food

Accommodations and Food

American-style cuisine prepared by local chef

Access to electricity and internet

Single-gender rooms

You will be staying in the Residence Hall at the Wrigley Marine Science Center on Catalina Island. The accommodations have electricity, refrigeration, and internet. Rooms will be single-gender with twin or bunk beds. Heating is available but is rarely needed. The marine lab’s chef will prepare breakfast, lunch, and dinner (American-style fare in buffet-style service), and a small selection of snacks (fruit, cereal, and drinks) will be available throughout the day. Dietary restrictions can be accommodated.

“Conserving Marine Life Along Catalina's Coast”

This Expedition far exceeded my expectations! From the beautiful ride on the ferry to arriving to a warm welcome on the island. Vivian and Lorraine were so knowledgeable about the research and made it interesting for us to learn. The hands on experience working on the intertidal project, collecting water samples for lab studies, kayaking, and lecture from Dr. Heidelberg made this an experience to remember. Our housing accommodations were excellent and our meals were great. Awesome overall experience!

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Emily Mawbey|10/27/2017

“mammals, mini molluscs and microscopic plankton”

This expedition initially interested me based on its location. Having never been to California but knowing that it is home to a wide array of marine wildlife, I was intrigued. After arriving at the rendezvous point, we were given a run down of the whole expedition and a guide to any marine mammals we may see on the boat ride over to Catalina. On arrival we were given a tour of the research centre, including areas where we would be working, but other areas, such as the greenhouse containing the aquaponic systems. The next few days were packed full of various activities including the collection of water samples, using a plankton tow. These samples were then analysed using dissection and compound microscopes, revealing a wonderful world of microscopic organisms, in shapes that you could only imagine.

We also took part in the MPA watch, consisting of walking along the coastline in search of any boast that were violating the rules for that particular protected area. These walks also allowed us to see some more of the island and some of the beautiful landscape it had to offer.

We also took part in some intertidal work, which I always knew as 'rockpooling'. Here we were on the look out for particular species of abalone and bat stars; as well as using quadrats within a specified transect to quantify various molluscs and rock weed. During this was where I found the tiniest Chiton at just 4mm, a few of us were rather excited by this, I blame the sun.

We also went on two kayaking trips, where we were fortunate enough to get close to a group of sealions and see a couple of harbor seals.

This is certainly an experience to wont be forgotten, having taken part in some vital research, experiencing some beautiful scenery and meeting some incredible people.

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Dianne Collette|Sunday, September10, 2017

“Citizen Science”

Last month, I wrote about getting ready to travel to Catalina Island with my granddaughter, Alyssa, to participate in an Earthwatch project as “citizen scientists”. I said we would be “beach-combing and counting stuff”. That is a fairly accurate general description of what we did during our week of research and data collection. We participated in four data collection activities.

• We surveyed human activity within a Marine Protected Area (MPA).

• We looked for and recorded marine mammals in and around the MPA.

• We gathered data on the presence or absence of specified sea life—mostly snails, barnacles and algae—along the shore and in tide pools.

• We microscopically examined sea water for the presence of a variety of plankton.

What kind of vacation is that for a vintage citizen and a fashionista teen? The best kind! When else can you call poking around in tide pools, hiking to hill-tops to view the ocean, kayaking through kelp beds looking for seal noses and viewing the tiny critters that occupy a tablespoon of sea water, “work”? And the “pay” for the work? How about snorkeling—to see what you are contributing to protect. How about night snorkeling—a first for me. And I didn’t even know it was on my Bucket List until I did it.

The evening before our night snorkel we had a presentation about the research being done on horned sharks. These are small, filter-feeding sharks most easily located at night. Researcher, Emily, was with us on our night snorkel. But Alyssa was the one who found the horned shark! It was a little guy—less than two feet long. Emily caught and held it so we could all see it up close.

Another unofficial research activity for Alyssa was evening fox-hunting for the endemic little foxes that inhabit the island and are so habituated to humans that they invade the dorms at night and leave piles of evidence of their presence in the hall. While I was doing some research on Uber in the computer lab, Alyssa and Laura, another team member, were stealthily trailing a fox around the campus. When I came back to the dorm, they gave me silent hand signals to be quiet and look where they were pointing. Yep, a fox the size of a large cat!

Speaking of Uber… Although the Earthwatch briefing mentions getting from the airport to the rendezvous and back by taxi, Uber is by far the better financial option. It was well worth the frustration of my first-time use of the app. on my phone and the fee for twice canceling an immediate ride before we figured out how to use the new schedule-ahead function. Thank goodness for tech-competent granddaughters.

Another competency I learned my granddaughter has is using a microscope. I am highly microscope-challenged; Alyssa is great at it. Maybe its young eyes? Fortunately, the lab is equipped with a microscope that is attached to a camera which projects what is being viewed onto a flat-screen TV. That way team leader Lorraine could show team members Nancy and I what Alyssa and Laura were finding on their own.

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I always find something to learn and something to enjoy about my Earthwatch project experiences. On this project, what I learned and enjoyed the most was not the science or the location or the people. It was experiencing the bitter-sweet joy of seeing my “baby” granddaughter interacting as a peer and contributing as a team member with environmental science-minded adults--and having fun doing it.

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